When I’m hospitalised, staff assume it’s because of anxiety

Beki is a PhD student from the West Midlands. She has several health conditions including severe asthma and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). EDS is a rare inherited condition that affects connective tissue. Last May, Beki set herself a fundraising challenge to complete 180,000 steps to raise money to mark World Asthma Day and EDS Awareness Month.

Beki, Asthma + Lung UK supporter
Published 14th February 2025

In July 2022, I caught COVID and was very unwell, needing to use nebulisers for the first time. I seemed to recover, but a few months later, my flatmates and I caught a cold. They recovered after a few days, but I gradually went from being able to teach swimming to unable to walk two meters in just a few weeks.

A cycle of critical hospital admissions

I was having multiple asthma attacks and I was eventually admitted to hospital. It was the start of a cycle of 10 critical respiratory admissions where I spent six months in high dependency or critical care wards. Most recently hospitalised in March this year due to my asthma.

I’m constantly worried about when the next will be

I’m fundraising for Asthma + Lung UK as people don’t realise what it’s like to constantly worry about when the next asthma attack will happen and how it will affect my health. People don’t realise that because you are young and physically you look well, that you can be sick. Sometimes when I’m hospitalised, staff assume it’s because of anxiety, not because I have a lung condition

There is still a lack of understanding around lung health

I want to raise awareness of all lung conditions as I feel like there is still a lack of understanding when it comes to respiratory care. My EDS has made my lungs weak and the lower airway collapse can trigger asthma attacks.

Severe asthma and EDS have made my life hard, but I am determined to live life well with them as much as I can.

Thank you to Beki for fundraising £560! If you feel inspired to raise money to help people with lung conditions in the UK, check out different ways to fundraise for us. If you need advice or support with your lung condition, our website has lots of expert health information. Or contact our friendly helpline team on 0300 222 5800.

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